Apparatus and method for water sliding

ABSTRACT

A recreational toy is provided. The toy has a mat for water sliding. A transparent bumper assembly is coupled to the mat and contains a liquid having at least one object submerged therein. A method for water sliding on a recreational toy is provided. A person slides on a water-supporting mat until the person contacts a transparent bumper assembly which stops the person from sliding further on the mat. Further provided is a toy assembly. The toy assembly comprises a mat and a collapsed transparent bumper assembly coupled to the mat and having at least one object within.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are related to an assembly (e.g., a toy) which provides a mat and a bumper assembly. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly and method for water sliding wherein a person slides along the surface of the mat until coming in contact with a bumper assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of water-slides available for children's recreational purposes, such as “Slip N Slide” water slides, etc. However, none combine the features a slick, aqueous-laden surface mat which enables a person to slide smoothly along the surface of the mat, and a water-containing bumper assembly coupled to the mat to stop the person from sliding.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for water sliding on a recreational toy. A person slides on a water-supporting mat until the person contacts a transparent bumper assembly which stops the person from sliding further on the mat.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational toy comprising a mat for water sliding. A transparent bumper assembly is coupled to the mat and contains a liquid having at least one object submerged therein.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a toy assembly comprising a mat; and a collapsed transparent bumper assembly coupled to the mat and having at least one object within.

These provisions, together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the following description proceeds, are attained by the methods and assemblies of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a generally U-shaped bumper assembly.

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention having the bumper assembly in a collapsed position or state and coupled to a mat.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the invention having the bumper assembly in a collapsed position or state and coupled to a mat.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the bumper assembly in a filled position or state due to a liquid having been placed in the bumper assembly.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the bumper assembly in a filled position or state due to the bumper assembly containing a liquid which was disposed therein.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 1 and illustrating a pool of water which has been accumulated on the mat and between the arms of the generally U-shaped bumper assembly.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 9-9 in FIG. 1 illustrating the objects which have floated against the top of the bumper assembly and which are poised to be propelled downward in direction of the arrows from the force of a person hitting the bumper assembly after sliding along the mat and through the pool of liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

Referring in detail now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a mat 10 and a bumper assembly 12 (singularly and/or collectively a “toy”) disposed at and/or coupled to the end of the mat 10. The bumper assembly 12 operationally stops a person from sliding when the person reaches the end of the mat 10. A plurality of apertures 16 longitudinally extends along one of the edges of the mat 10 for dispensing water onto the mat 10 after water passes through a coupling 20 which typically engages a water hose (not shown). In an embodiment of the invention, as best shown in FIG. 7, a pool 15 of water forms on the mat 10 contiguous to the bumper assembly 12.

The mat 10 and the assembly 12 may be manufactured from any suitable material. Preferably, the mat 10 and the assembly 12 are made from plastic (e.g., vinyl or the like). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly 12 is manufactured from a transparent plastic to enable a person to see inside the assembly 12, comparable to an aquarium where people view fish swimming.

The bumper assembly 12 is coupled by any suitable means to the mat 10 at location 24. The bumper assembly 12 may possess any suitable structure, preferably a generally U-shaped structure with respect to a top plan view, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The bumper assembly 12 also comprises objects 40 (e.g., ornamental three dimensional-shaped objects). The objects 40 may be any suitable objects, preferably objects which are capable of being suspended within water 13 after the water 13 is introduced into the bumper assembly 12 through a valve 28 positioned on and/or in the skin 34 of the body 24 of the bumper assembly 12. Water 13 is introduced through the valve 28 by any suitable means, such as engaging the valve 28 to a garden hose, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the objects 40 represent marine or sea animals (e.g., fish, sea horses, crabs, etc.) 41 to simulate swimming when suspended within water 13 contained in the bumper assembly 12. When the bumper assembly 12 is in a collapsed position (i.e., assembly 12 contains no water 13) as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the objects 40 randomly move (e.g., flip flops) within the bumper assembly 12. The objects 40 may remain in the water 13 totally, constantly suspended. In other embodiments of the invention, some of the objects 40 float to and/or against the underside surface of the top of the bumper assembly 12, as best shown in FIG. 9. The objects 40 floating against the underside of the top of the bumper assembly 12 are poised to be propelled downward in direction of the arrows in FIG. 9 from the force of a person hitting the bumper assembly 12 after sliding along the water-laden mat 10, or after sliding along the water-laden mat 10 and through the pool 15 of water 13. The pool 15 forms from the mat 10 being positioned such that repetitive slides through the water 13 towards the bumper assembly 12 causes water to accumulate contiguous to the bumper assembly 12, more specifically between the arms (identified below as “60” and “62”) of the bumper assembly 12. As a person slides on the water-laden mat 10, water is pushed towards the bumper assembly 12, similar to a squeegee pushing water along a surface. While embodiments of the invention are being described by the bumper assembly 12 containing water, it is to be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention includes the bumper assembly 12 containing any suitable liquid.

As previously indicated and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bumper assembly 12 has a generally U-shaped structure with respect to a top plan view, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The U-shaped structure includes a pair of arms 60 and 62 respectively terminating in arcuate shaped, tapering ends 70 and 66. The arms 60 and 62 may flange slightly outwardly to facilitate a person sliding between the arms 60 and 62 where the pool 15 of water 13 may form on the mat 10. The U-shaped structure also includes a generally sinusoidal-shaped rear surface 80.

Practice of various embodiments of the present invention provides a water-inflatable bumper assembly 12 which forms a barrier to stop a person from sliding along a water-coated mat 10. The bumper assembly 12 comprises a plurality of suspended marine animals 41 which simulates marine life swimming in an aquarium. In operation of various embodiments of the invention a pool 15 of water contiguous to, and/or between the arms 60 and 62 of the bumper assembly 12, accumulates. When a person slides into the pool 15, water 13 typically splashes and slightly retards the speed that a person is sliding along the mat 10 and towards the bumper assembly 12. The arcuate tapering arms 60 and 62 respectively at arcuate shaped distal ends 70 and 66 of the bumper assembly 12 facilities the sliding of a person between the arms 60 and 62 as opposed to sliding off the water-coated mat 10 or hitting the ends of the arms 60 and 62 due to the transverse breadth of same from the longitudinally edges.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all its embodiments. Therefore, the respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Additionally, any arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, an and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to the particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the embodiments of the invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A recreational toy comprising: a mat for liquid sliding; and a transparent bumper assembly coupled to the mat and containing a liquid having at least one object submerged in the liquid.
 2. The toy of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises water.
 3. The toy of claim 1 wherein said bumper assembly comprises a generally U-shaped structure.
 4. The toy of claim 3 wherein said U-shaped structure comprises a pair of arms.
 5. The toy of claim 4 wherein each of said arms terminate in a generally arcuate-shaped ends.
 6. The toy of claim 3 wherein said U-shaped structure comprises a structure defining a generally sinusoidal surface.
 7. The toy of claim 2 wherein said bumper assembly comprises a structure defining an aperture wherein water is introduced into the bumper assembly.
 8. The toy of claim 4 wherein said arms contain said liquid.
 9. The toy of claim 1 wherein said object has the appearance of a marine animal.
 10. The toy of claim 5 additionally comprising a pool of water disposed between said ends.
 11. A method for water sliding on a recreational toy comprising: sliding on a water-laden mat; contacting a transparent a bumper assembly to cease water sliding on the water-laden mat.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said transparent bumper assembly is coupled to said water-laden mat.
 13. The method of claim 12 additionally comprising sliding through a pool of water disposed between a pair of arms of the bumper assembly.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said transparent bumper assembly comprise a plurality of objects have the appearance of marine animals.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein at least one of said objects floats in contact with the under surface of a top of the transparent bumper assembly.
 16. The method of claim 15 additionally comprising propelling the object away from being in contact with the under surface of the top of the transparent bumper assembly.
 17. An assembly comprising a mat; a collapsed transparent bumper assembly coupled to said mat and having at least one object within. 